Poem by William Cowper

Olney Hymn 40. Peace after a Storm

    When darkness long has veil'd my mind,
        And smiling day once more appears, 
    Then, my Redeemer, then I find
        The folly of my doubts and fears.

    Straight I upbraid my wandering heart,
        And blush that I should ever be 
    Thus prone to act so base a part,
        Or harbour one hard thought of Thee!

    Oh! let me then at length be taught
        What I am still so slow to learn, 
    That God is love, and changes not,
        Nor knows the shadow of a turn.

    Sweet truth, and easy to repeat!
        But when my faith is sharply tried, 
    I find myself a learner yet,
        Unskilful, weak, and apt to slide.

    But, O my Lord, one look from Thee
        Subdues the disobedient will, 
    Drives doubt and discontent away,
        And Thy rebellious worm is still.

    Thou art as ready to forgive
        As I am ready to repine; 
    Thou, therefore, all the praise receive;
        Be shame and self-abhorrence mine. 

1. Olney Hymn 4. Jehovah-Nissi. The Lord My Banner
2. An Ode, on Reading Mr. Richardson's History of Sir Charles Grandison
3. Olney Hymn 17. The House of Prayer
4. Olney Hymn 13. The Covenant
5. Olney Hymn 55. The Heart Healed and Changed by Mercy

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